Luke D'Anello is a BPL citizen journalist.

MANY knowledgeable punters were adamant Geelong was due for a slide down the ladder this year

After two premierships and a Grand Final loss in the past three seasons, the common perception was that the Cats' had lost their hunger.

But teams don't lose their hunger. Other factors need to be considered when analysing why a team should head into a period decline - if that's your opinion.

Salary cap pressures in the modern game are always evident, but Geelong has been able to keep the majority of its impressive squad together.

The age of the list is another reason, but the more experienced guard of Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn and Corey Enright are just doing what they have done for years - producing consistent performances.

In the process, they are helping silence the doubters.

Those who, remarkably, thought this team was due to fall.

The Cats, I believe, are simply a victim of tall-poppy syndrome.

Many would base their views on the fact the Cats have been on top of the AFL tree for the better part of three seasons. Bar the loss to the Hawks in 2008, they have been outstanding.

And if yesterday's crushing win over the then-ladder-leader Sydney is any indication, Geelong, as has become the norm, will play a big role later in the year.

Gary Ablett starred again, gathering 38 possessions and he could, realistically, boast 15 Brownlow votes.

He was best-on-ground against the Swans - for the fourth time in succession - and has accumulated over 30 touches in his six matches this year.

Statistically, he is better form than last year when he won the Brownlow Medal.

He remains the compeition's pre-eminent player and shows no sign of slowing down. So much for the talk of decline.

Tough-as-teak midfielder Joel Selwood is another in the impressive Cats midfield and he is not yet 22 years of age. Jimmy Bartel is just 26, and is a Brownlow Medallist, All-Australian and premiership player (twice). Not many have that on their CV.

Joel Corey (currently injured) and captain Cameron Ling continue to contribute heavily to their team's cause on a consistent basis. Simply, no one who plays on Ling can expect an easy ride.

And that's just the midfield.

Then consider the defence. Scarlett may be almost 31 years of age, but he is still the best full-back in the league. In his first game back from injury, he destroyed Swan Daniel Bradshaw, who had been in super form this season.

Enright is not far behind as far as talent goes, while Milburn, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor help make the Cats' backline one of the best in the competition.

Yes, Taylor. He may be just 23, but remember his job on Nick Riewoldt in last year's Grand Final? The star Saint was rendered ineffective for the first time in 2009 on football's biggest day. And Geelong had Taylor to thank.

You don't win the ultimate prize without a super defence.

In the forward half, Paul Chapman, Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney still provide headaches for any opposition defence.

Tom Hawkins has been criticised recently, but, at just 21, he will improve.

James Podsiadly, who has played five games this season and kicked three hauls of five majors, has been a revelation in his first season at AFL level.

Ominously, he has made the Cats a more-imposing outfit.

Yes, predictions that 2010 will be the start of Geelong's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

How can a team be expected to drop down the ladder when so many of their stars remain in their prime?

Age is just a number, and players, especially the champions, often defy it.

Scarlett and Milburn, for example, are both on the wrong side of 30. But many coaches would like them in their team.

There is plenty of competition for the Cats this year, as usual. The likes of last year's runner-up St.Kilda, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs will all play a significant role in 2010.

But none of that group has proven they are superior to the reigning premier. Not yet, anyway.

In the pre-season, one AFL captain - at the annual captains' gathering before the season started - predicted the Cats would miss the top-eight. Surely, that captain was telling porky pies to stir-up some opinion?

A dynasty cannot last forever, but it also won't end prematurely.

Yes, the season is in its early stages, and there is only one way the Cats can go this year.

But they remain the AFL's No.1 team.

Luke D'Anello is a Melbourne freelance journalist.